TWO PEOPLE have been taken to hospital following a fire in Reading town centre.
Emergency services were called to Station Hill just before 11.40am on Thursday, November 23, after a building at One Station Hill caught fire. It is thought to be a rooftop terrace.
It is understood that construction work was taking place today, but it is unclear if that caused the blaze.
Buildings were evacuated, and footage of a cage being hoisted on to the affected roof has been circulated on social media.
Eyewitness Chris said he came out of Harris Arcade and saw the sky completely filled with smoke.
“I thought a plane had got inside one of the buildings because (the smoke) was so big,” he told Reading Today.
“I came around the corner by Nando’s and it was an absolute inferno on the top floor. It was completely covered.
“It was in the middle and spread upwards. I’m surprised the glass didn’t blow out, it was quite full on.
“I can’t quite believe how fast it spread, it was minutes from being a small blaze to a big one.”
Emergency crews set up an incident unit at the base of Thames Tower, and police closed roads in the neighbouring area, including Friar Street. Buses have been diverted, causing heavy traffic across the town.
It took crews from Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service around 20 minutes to bring the blaze under control.
A spokesperson for the service said: “At 11:38am on Thursday, 23 November, we received reports of a fire near Napier Road in Reading.
“A number of our crews are currently on the scene. While emergency services work, we ask that people avoid the area where possible and close windows and doors if you live or work nearby.
“Thank you for your patience while we deal with this incident. Updates will continue to be provided through our website incident feed.”
And a spokesperson for South Central Ambulance Service said they were on site to support the fire and rescue service as they worked on the building.
“Two people to the Royal Berkshire Hospital for further assessment and treatment for smoke inhalation, neither of whom were severe cases,” they said.
“We are now on standby supporting the fire service, a standard operational procedure when they are working at height and at scale.
“We have our Hazardous Area Response Team, an ambulance, the Thames Valley Air Ambulance critical care car, an operational commander, a tactical advisor and a tactical commander at the scene.”
It is understood that Thames Valley Police won’t lift road closures until this evening.
In a statement, they said: “Police officers are currently on scene supporting colleagues from Fire and Rescue and South Central Ambulance Service at an incident on Station Hill, Reading. Please avoid the area to allow emergency services clear access to the scene.
“Road closures are in place from Forbury roundabout to Forbury Road, Friar Street and Friar West.
“We are working to allow access for residents to premises that have not been affected by the fire, and to the hotels.
“If you live in the surrounding area, please keep windows closed and stay indoors. Further updates will be provided shortly.”
The owners of One Station Hill have been contacted for a comment.
Additional reporting: Jake Clothier
